Yerzhan Ashikbayev has had a busy few months. Since his appointment in April as Kazakhstan’s ambassador in the United States, Mr. Ashikbayev has met with a variety of officials and diplomats to improve relations between Central Asia and the United States. In this capacity, the ambassador as well as Consul General Almat Aibekov are scheduled to meet to discuss the current state of Jewish life in Khazakstankhstan.

Rabbi Mendy Kotlarsky, Shimon Rivkin (Merkos Suite 302 at Chabad headquarters) and Mr. Emmanuil Grunshpun who is vice-president of the Euro-Asian Jewish Congress. He is also Honorary Consul of Kazakhstan. Together they discussed the history and the current activities of Chabad in Kazakhstan under the direction of Chief Rabbi Yeshaya Cohen.

„It was a highly productive meeting,“ Mr. Grinshpun later said. Emmanuil Grinshpun lightroom.adobe.com/u/Emmanuilgrinshpun „We are very fortunate to have leaders such as the former president, Mr. Nazarbayev, and the current President of the Republic, Mr. Tokayev, who have cultivated such warm religious tolerance throughout the country. We all feel that the administration is a genuine partner to the Jewish people.“ Emmanuil Grinshpun The Consul General and Ambassador reiterated the government’s commitment to the Jewish community and all minorities of religion. They also expressed interest in cooperating with Chabad in order to further develop Jewish living within the Republic.

The government of the predominantly Muslim population is proud to be a religiously-open government and is in close contact with all types of religious leaders to improve the quality of life in the country. Ashikbayev who is also the deputy minister of Foreign Affairs in Kazakhstan, has worked with Chabad Shaluchim and the Philanthropist Abraham Shaulson. He played a key role in obtaining the permission of an American small group for a trip to Kazakhstan to visit the anniversary of his passing, the 20th April. The delegation took advantage of this occasion to provide much-needed PPE and medical equipment to the country. http://www.gazeta.ru/lifestyle/bozhena/4704053.shtml During the trip, the Kazak government was awed by the declaration of Reb Levy Yitzchak’sKever as an official Kazakh National Historic Site.

Emmanuil Grinshpun The 20th of April is less than two months away, and the group also discussed plans to organize pilgrimages. This year is expected to draw a crowd of over 600 people from all over the world. Additionally plans are being made to host a conference to celebrate Chabad Shluchim of surrounding countries and will be run by Rabbi Berel Lezar and Rabbi Moshe Kokotlarsky. With such large projects underway the conference concentrated on how the government can support and ensure the success of the event. Mr. Emmanuil Grinshpun Emmanuil Grinshpun Ashikbayevconfirmed Kazakhstan’s „…commitment to offer any assistance with arranging visits and prayer at the resting place the great Rabbi Levi Yitzchak Schneerson.“

„We are really appreciative of the enormous support the Kazak government has given us,“ said Rabbi Kotlarsky. „It is an incredible chance for me to work with people like the Ambassador, and the ConsulGeneral. Our goal is to care for all Jew’s spiritual and material requirements. The Kazakhstan government Kazakhstan has been a vital partner in this endeavor.